Obituary for W.G. Gates
Wallace Grady “W. G.” Gates age 88 died peacefully at home on April 19, 2021, surrounded by his family after a brief but courageous battle with Pancreatic Cancer.
W.G. Gates was born in Exmoor, AL on February 6, 1933. A lifelong resident of Marengo County, Gates graduated from Sweetwater High School. In 1953 he enlisted in the United States Army, serving for six year. Following his tour of duty in the army, Gates served four years in the United States National Guard Army Reserve.
It was near the end of his Army enlistment that Gates met the love of his life, Inez Lynn. On May 17, 1957, W. G. and Inez were married and established their home in Nanafalia, Alabama, where they would eventually be blessed with five children, seven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
Gates worked at James River Paper Mill (currently Georgia-Pacific) in Pennington, Alabama, as a beater engineer for 42 years. He was also a member of the Marengo County Rescue Squad for many years. His interest in helping others and service to his community made him an excellent candidate for becoming a Mason, and he was a member of the St. Albans Masonic Lodge #22 for over 40 years. He also earned the degree of Master Mason and became a Shriner and a member of the Scottish Rite.
W.G. Gates is survived by his wife, Inez Lynn Gates; son, Gary Marc Gates, son, Ronald Todd Gates, son, Michael Leroy Gates, daughter, Ursurla Denise Evans; brother, Harold Lassiter; sister, Margie McLean, sister, Vivian Sheffield, and sister, Doris Rutledge.
He is also survived by his seven adoring grandchildren: Stacey Barnes, Tiffany Stephens, Alicia Smotherman, Michael Gates, Kevin Gates, Kerri Gates, and Kellie Gates.
He is also survived by his nine great grandchildren who were the absolute light of his life: Kamryn Paul, Xander Stephens, Abigail Smotherman, Amir Abunaemeh, Austin Smotherman, Adam Smotherman, Emery Gates, Hunter Gates, and Evie Haskins.
He was preceded in death by his son, Gregory Alan Gates, sister, Helen Taylor, sister, Hazel Etheridge, brother, Herman Lassiter, mother, Bonnie Lassiter, and father, James Lassiter.
Visitation will be held at O’Bryant Chapel Funeral Home on Friday, April 23, 2021 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Graveside funeral services will be held at Choctaw Corner Cemetery on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 11:00 am.
Arrangements by O’Bryant Chapel Funeral Home.
W.G. Gates was born in Exmoor, AL on February 6, 1933. A lifelong resident of Marengo County, Gates graduated from Sweetwater High School. In 1953 he enlisted in the United States Army, serving for six year. Following his tour of duty in the army, Gates served four years in the United States National Guard Army Reserve.
It was near the end of his Army enlistment that Gates met the love of his life, Inez Lynn. On May 17, 1957, W. G. and Inez were married and established their home in Nanafalia, Alabama, where they would eventually be blessed with five children, seven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
Gates worked at James River Paper Mill (currently Georgia-Pacific) in Pennington, Alabama, as a beater engineer for 42 years. He was also a member of the Marengo County Rescue Squad for many years. His interest in helping others and service to his community made him an excellent candidate for becoming a Mason, and he was a member of the St. Albans Masonic Lodge #22 for over 40 years. He also earned the degree of Master Mason and became a Shriner and a member of the Scottish Rite.
W.G. Gates is survived by his wife, Inez Lynn Gates; son, Gary Marc Gates, son, Ronald Todd Gates, son, Michael Leroy Gates, daughter, Ursurla Denise Evans; brother, Harold Lassiter; sister, Margie McLean, sister, Vivian Sheffield, and sister, Doris Rutledge.
He is also survived by his seven adoring grandchildren: Stacey Barnes, Tiffany Stephens, Alicia Smotherman, Michael Gates, Kevin Gates, Kerri Gates, and Kellie Gates.
He is also survived by his nine great grandchildren who were the absolute light of his life: Kamryn Paul, Xander Stephens, Abigail Smotherman, Amir Abunaemeh, Austin Smotherman, Adam Smotherman, Emery Gates, Hunter Gates, and Evie Haskins.
He was preceded in death by his son, Gregory Alan Gates, sister, Helen Taylor, sister, Hazel Etheridge, brother, Herman Lassiter, mother, Bonnie Lassiter, and father, James Lassiter.
Visitation will be held at O’Bryant Chapel Funeral Home on Friday, April 23, 2021 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Graveside funeral services will be held at Choctaw Corner Cemetery on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 11:00 am.
Arrangements by O’Bryant Chapel Funeral Home.